25/04/2024
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Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes ¹. Here are some key points about the disease ² ³:
*Symptoms:*
- Fever and muscle aches, often preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms
- High-risk people other than pregnant women: headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions
- Pregnant women: mild, flu-like illness
- Previously healthy people: noninvasive illness with diarrhea and fever
*Causes:*
- Ingestion of contaminated food products
- Raw meat, dairy products, vegetables, fruit, and seafood can be contaminated
- Soft cheeses, unpasteurized milk, and unpasteurized pâté are potential dangers
*Risk Factors:*
- Immunocompromisation
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes mellitus
*Complications:*
- Sepsis
- Meningitis
- Encephalitis
- Stillbirth or spontaneous abortion
- Preterm birth
*Diagnosis:*
- Isolation of the causative bacteria from the blood and/or the cerebrospinal fluid
*Treatment:*
- Prolonged administration of antibiotics, primarily ampicillin and gentamicin
*Prevention:*
- Safe handling, cooking, and consumption of food
- Washing raw vegetables and cooking raw food thoroughly
- Reheating leftover or ready-to-eat foods until steaming hot
- Advising high-risk groups to avoid unpasteurized pâtés and foods like soft cheeses
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